Man who falsely claimed asylum could face 20 yrs

The prosecution in the case of Innocent Irankunda, 24, who was falsely trying to acquire political asylum in Germany, yesterday requested court to hand him a 20 year jail sentence upon conviction.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

The prosecution in the case of Innocent Irankunda, 24, who was falsely trying to acquire political asylum in Germany, yesterday requested court to hand him a 20 year jail sentence upon conviction.

The trial of Irankunda who got a fake visa to travel to Germany from Pastor Deus Sangwa, of Ministere d’Evangelisation Sans Frontieres (MIESF), commenced at Nyarugenge Intermediate Court.

After the court heard from both sides, the presiding Judge ruled that his pre-trial detention be read today while the verdict has been set for November 27.

Iradukunda is accused of revisionism and forgery. The prosecution says he was arrested with a forged Gacaca court arrest warrant.

The suspect was arrested by German police in Frankfurt while seeking asylum citing political persecution.

He reportedly told police in Frankfurt that former RPA soldiers had killed his parents in 1994 and yet Court heard that his mother is alive while his father died of malaria in 1992.

Irankunda pleaded guilty and apologised to the court.

Ends